Recording and reproducing apparatus, recording and reproducing method,and data processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

When a copy of music data recorded in an HDD to another electronic equipment is instructed, whether an accounting process is performed or a sound quality deteriorating process is performed is selected. When the accounting process is performed, after a predetermined accounting procedure was performed, a data copying process is performed and the data is outputted to a copy destination. When the accounting process is performed, a quality of the data is held to be almost identical to that of the original data. When the sound quality deteriorating process is selected, a data conversion is performed by a predetermined sound quality deteriorating process, the quality of the data is deteriorated, and the deteriorated data is outputted to the copy destination. In this case, the accounting is not performed. In case of the move of the data, the accounting process and the sound quality deteriorating process are not performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a recording and reproducing apparatus, arecording and reproducing method, and a data processing apparatus. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a recording and reproducingapparatus, a recording and reproducing method, and a data processingapparatus for performing a copy of data or an operation similar to thecopy.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Hitherto, in association with the development of the digitaltechnique, as well as a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) orthe like, there are many examples in which audio information or audiodata is supplied as digital music data. As for the digital music data,the reproduction at a high sound quality can be relatively easilyrealized and a deterioration of the sound quality due to the recordingto the recording medium hardly occurs. As compared with a case where theconventional analog audio signal has been recorded on the recordingmedium, a recording medium in which digital music data has been recordedhas widely generally been spread because it is relatively small andlight-weighted and the like.

[0003] On the other hand, as for the digital music data, since adeterioration of the sound quality due to a recording medium hardlyoccurs and a perfect copy can be easily performed and the like, there isa fear such that the copyright is threatened by a limitless copy or thelike. Hitherto, as a countermeasure for protection of the copyright, amanagement by SCMS (Serial Copy Management System) has been performedwith respect to the copy (dubbing) of digital music data including thecopyright. In the management by the SCMS, a predetermined flag isprovided for the digital music data and the copy as digital data islimited to, for example, one generation. The SCMS is used as a digitalinterface of a recording and reproducing apparatus or the like using acommercially available DAT (Digital Audio Tape) or a magnetooptical dischaving a diameter of almost 64 mm.

[0004] However, the above SCMS has a problem such that since importanceis fairly attached to the protection of the copyright, sharingperformance of data is remarkably limited.

[0005] For example, even for the purpose of a personal use, the musicdata obtained by copying digital data can be never transferred from arecording medium on which digital data was copied to another recordingmedium and it is very inconvenient.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0006] It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide arecording system which can perform digital move and copy of digitalmusic data to another recording medium while protecting the copyright.

[0007] According to the invention, to solve the above problem, there isprovided a recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: a firststoring unit in which at least one data has been stored; a secondstoring unit in which at least one data is recorded; and signalprocessing means to which the data read out from the first storing unitis supplied when the data read out from the first storing unit is storedinto the second storing unit and which performs a deteriorating processof the supplied data and supplies resultant processed data to the secondstoring unit. According to the invention, there is also provided arecording and reproducing method whereby when the data read out from thefirst storing unit is stored into the second storing unit, adeteriorating process of the data is performed to the data read out fromthe first storing unit and resultant processed data is supplied to thesecond storing unit and written into the second storing unit.

[0008] According to the invention, there is provided a recording andreproducing apparatus comprising: a first storing unit in which at leastone data has been stored; a second storing unit in which at least onedata is recorded; and control means to which the data read out from thefirst storing unit is supplied and in which when the data read out fromthe first-storing unit is stored into the second storing unit, eitherone of an accounting process and a deteriorating process of the datasupplied from the first storing unit is performed and resultantprocessed data is supplied to the second storing unit.

[0009] According to the invention, there is provided a recording andreproducing method whereby when data read out from a first storing unitis stored into a second storing unit, either one of an accountingprocess and a deteriorating process of the data supplied from the firststoring unit is performed and resultant processed data is supplied tothe second storing unit.

[0010] According to the invention, there is provided a data processingapparatus comprising: a storing unit in which at least one data has beenstored; and signal processing means to which the data read out from thestoring unit is supplied when the data read out from the storing unit isstored when it is copied to another storing medium and which performs adeteriorating process of the supplied data and outputs the data obtainedby performing the data deteriorating process as output data.

[0011] As mentioned above, according to the invention disclosed inclaims 1 and 13, when the data read out from the first storing unit inwhich at least one data has been stored is stored into the secondstoring unit in which at least one data has been stored, thedeteriorating process is performed to the data read out from the firststoring unit, so that the illegal use of the data read out from thefirst storing unit is prevented.

[0012] According to the invention disclosed in claims 25 and 39, whenthe data read out from the first storing unit in which at least one datahas been stored is stored into the second storing unit in which at leastone data has been stored, either one of the accounting process and thedeteriorating process of the data read out from the first storing unitcan be selected, so that it is possible to construct such that if theaccounting process is performed, the data deteriorating process is notperformed.

[0013] According to the invention disclosed in claim 43, when the dataread out from the storing unit in which at least one data has beenstored is stored when it is copied to another storing medium, since thedeteriorating process is performed to the data read out from the storingunit and the resultant processed data is used as output data, theillegal use of the data that is read out from the storing unit and isoutputted so as to be copied to another storing medium is prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a music serveraccording to the invention and a system using the music server; FIG. 2is a block diagram showing an example of a construction of the musicserver; FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a signal flow untilmusic data read out by a CD-ROM drive is recorded to a hard disk drive;FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a signal flow untilcompression music data read out by a hard disk drive is reproductionprocessed and is outputted to a terminal; FIG. 5 is a block diagramshowing an example of a construction of a portable recording andreproducing apparatus; FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another exampleof a portable recording and reproducing apparatus; FIG. 7 is a flowchartof an example of processes when music data of a CD in the music serveris recorded to a hard disk drive; FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts showingan example of an accounting process when music data of a CD is recordedto a hard disk drive at a high speed; FIG. 9 is a flowchart of anexample of a moving process of music data according to the invention;FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing an example of a methodof a sound quality deteriorating process; FIGS. 11A and 11B areschematic diagrams showing an example of a method of a sound qualitydeteriorating process; FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic diagrams showingan example of a method of a sound quality deteriorating process; FIGS.13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing an example of a method of asound quality deteriorating process; FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematicdiagrams showing an example of a method of a sound quality deterioratingprocess; FIGS. 15A to 15C are schematic diagrams showing an example of amethod of a sound quality deteriorating process; and FIG. 16 is aflowchart showing an example of a process to select one of theaccounting process and the sound quality deteriorating process whenmusic data is copied.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] The best mode for embodying the invention will now be describedhereinbelow with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows amusic server to which the invention is applied and a system using themusic server. A music server 50 comprises a server main body 51 andright and left speaker units 52R and 52L. A display unit 53 comprising,for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel and a CD insertingportion 54 to insert a CD into the server main body 51 are provided forthe server main body 51.

[0016] Although not shown in FIG. 1, an operating unit comprising aplurality of operation switches to operate functions of the server mainbody 51 by the user is provided for the server main body 51. A signalreceiving unit to receive, for example, an infrared signal to remotecontrol the functions of the server main body 51 by a remote commandercan be also provided. The server main body 51 has a controller as willbe explained hereinlater. Various operations of the server main body 51are controlled by the controller on the basis of a predetermined programwhich has previously been stored in, for instance, an ROM.

[0017] The user loads a CD 55 into the server main body 51 through theCD inserting portion 54 and executes a predetermined operation by usingan operating unit (not shown), thereby reproducing the CD 55. He canenjoy music recorded on the CD 55 by generating a reproduction signalreproduced from the CD 55 by the speaker units 52L and 52R. When the CD55 includes text data such as music titles or the like, the music titlesor the like are displayed to the display unit 53 on the basis of thetext data.

[0018] The music server 50 has therein a recording medium of a largecapacity by, for example, a hard disk. By executing a predeterminedoperation by the user by using the operating unit (not shown), thereproduction data reproduced from the CD 55 loaded into the server mainbody 51 from the CD inserting portion 54 can be recorded to therecording medium comprising a hard disk. In this instance, either one ofa method of recording at the same transfer speed as the standardreproducing speed of the CD 55 and a high speed recording to record at atransfer speed higher than the standard reproducing speed of the CD 55can be selected. In case of recording at the high transfer speed, byexecuting an accounting process by a predetermined procedure, a desiredCD can be selected or a desired music piece recorded on the CD can beselected and the reproduction data as music data reproduced from the CDcan be recorded at a transfer speed higher than that of the datareproduced at the standard reproducing speed of the CD.

[0019] In the music server 50, the music data reproduced from the CD 55is compression encoded by a predetermined method such as a foregoingATRAC or the like and is recorded as compression music data. Forexample, music data of about 1000 music pieces can be memorized orstored to the hard disk having a capacity of 6 GBytes. A list of thetitles of the music pieces memorized-or stored on the hard disk isdisplayed on, for example, the display unit 53. The user can select anarbitrary one of the music pieces memorized or stored on the hard diskon the basis of the music title list displayed in the display unit 53and can reproduce. Since a random access can be performed in the harddisk, a number of music data memorized or stored can be read out andcontinuously reproduced in accordance with an arbitrary order.

[0020] Although various methods can be used for compression encoding,the method called “ATRAC2 (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding 2)” asdisclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,821 is used in thisembodiment. The compression encoding method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,717,821 intends to perform a compression encoding of audio data byusing a masking effect based on the sense of hearing and a frequencydependency of the minimum audible limit and by using both of a transformcoding and an entropy coding. The encoding/decoding can be performed ata high speed while maintaining a high sound quality by hardware of arelatively small scale.

[0021] The music server 50 can be connected to an external system, forexample, an internet server 60 as a server connected to the internetthrough a communication line 61 such as a public telephone line. Byconnecting from the music server 50 to the internet server 60 throughthe communication line 61, various information on the internet can beobtained. The internet server 60 has, for example, a database such astitle information of commercially available music CDs. A key peculiar tothe user to use the database is given to the user. When the database isused, the authentication is performed on the basis of the peculiar key.After completion of the authentication of the user, the data accompaniedin the CD, for example, title information of the CD is transmitted tothe user. Thus, the user can obtain the data associated to the CD.

[0022] In the internet server 60, an accounting process for the musicserver 50 is also executed in accordance with services which arepresented to the user. When the foregoing high speed recording of the CD55 is executed, the music server 50 communicates data indicative of theexecution of the high speed recording to the internet server 60, so thatthe accounting process for the user who performs the high speedrecording is executed, the selection of the CD or music piece can beperformed, and the high speed recording can be executed.

[0023] Although the accounting process is executed by the internetserver 60 having a large quantity of additional information of the CDshere, the invention is not limited to the foregoing example. Forinstance, the foregoing accounting process can be also performed byanother server connected to the internet. The foregoing accountingprocess can be also executed by another network, for example, adedicated network different from the internet.

[0024] A portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 has a storingmedium comprising a hard disk or a flash memory. Any other storingmedium or recording medium can be also used so long as it can follow thereproducing speed of music. By connecting the portable recording andreproducing apparatus 70 to the music server 50 by a connection line 71,the music data recorded in the music server 50 is transferred to theportable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 and can be recorded tothe storing medium of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70. In this instance, on the music server 50 side, although the musicdata transferred to the apparatus 70 exists on the storing medium suchas hard disk or flash memory, it is set into a state where the datacannot be reproduced. The storing medium or recording medium which isused in the portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 has acapacity of, for example, about 200 MBytes and music data of tens ofmusic pieces can be memorized or stored. In the following description, astoring device or storing medium comprising a semiconductor memory suchas a flash memory or the like and a recording medium such as a disk-likerecording medium or the like such as a hard disk or the like aregenerally called a storing medium.

[0025] The foregoing transfer method which is used in the invention,namely, an act such that in case of transferring the music data, themusic data is recorded to a storing medium on the transfer destinationside, and on the storing medium on the transferring source side,although the transferred music data exists on the storing medium, it isset into an unreproducible state is called a “move”. By moving the musicdata as mentioned above, an unlimited copy of the music data can beprevented.

[0026] Although the music server 50 and portable recording andreproducing apparatus 70 are connected by the connection line 71 in theabove embodiment, the invention is not limited to this example. Forinstance, it is also possible to construct in a manner such thatmutually corresponding attaching portions are provided for both of themusic server 50 and portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70, theportable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 are directly attached tothe music server 50, and data is transmitted and received between theserver 50 and apparatus 70. Besides the electric connection, forexample, interfaces corresponding to IrDA (Infrared Data Association)for transmitting and receiving data by an infrared signal are providedfor both of the server 50 and apparatus 70 and the music data can bealso transferred between the server 50 and apparatus 70 by the infraredsignal.

[0027] Further, by providing a predetermined interface for the musicserver 50, information can be exchanged for various media. For example,by providing an interface corresponding to a PC card 80 for the server50, music data which is distributed by the PC card 80 can be fetched tothe music server 50 or data can be transmitted and received between apersonal computer and the music server 50. By providing a serial digitalinterface by an optical cable or the like for the server 50, forexample, music data can be transmitted and received to/from anotherdigital music data recording and reproducing apparatus such as a discrecorder 81 using a small magnetooptical disc having a diameter of about64 mm. In this example, a disc cartridge 82 in which the foregoing smallmagnetooptical disc is enclosed is loaded into the disc recorder 81 andmusic data reproduced from the magnetooptical disc of the disc cartridge82 is supplied to the music server 50. Similarly, it is also possible toprovide an interface such as an IEEE 1394 for the server 50 and toconnect, for instance, a set top box 83 for a CATV (Cable Television), asatellite broadcasting, or the like.

[0028] The PC card conforms to the standard of the card type peripheralequipment for personal computers by the common enactment of the PCMCIA(Personal Memory Card International Association) of U.S.A. and the JEIDA(Japanese Electronic Industry Development Association) of Japan. TheIEEE 1394 is an interface standard used in Electrical & ElectronicsStandards Engineers Association of U.S.A.

[0029] The music server 50 can have a WWW (World Wide Web) browser as abuilt-in application. By connecting to the internet server 60 throughthe communication line 61, various contents which exist on the internetand were described by, for example, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) canbe retrieved and can be displayed on the display unit 53.

[0030] With the above construction, for instance, the user can reproducethe music data memorized or stored in the music server 50 and can listento it by the speaker units 52L and 52R. The user can also load the CD 55into the server 50 through the CD inserting portion 54 and can reproducethe CD 55.

[0031] By communicating between the music server 50 and internet server60, the title information or the like of the CD 55 loaded into theserver 50 through the CD inserting portion 54 can be automaticallyobtained from the server 60 through the communication line 61. Theinformation derived from the server 60 is preserved in the music server50. The preserved title information is displayed on the display unit 53of the server 50 as necessary. More specifically speaking, informationsuch as user ID data of the server 50 or the like that is peculiar tothe user (hereinafter, referred to as user information) is sent from themusic server 50 to the internet server 60. On the internet server 60side, a collating process or an accounting process is executed on thebasis of the received user information. Media information of the CDwhich is needed by the user or the CD which is being reproduced is sentfrom the music server 50 to the internet server 60. In the internetserver 60, on the basis of the received media information, for example,the additional information such as titles of the music pieces, names ofthe players, names of the composers and songwriters, words, jacketimage, and the like for the music data is retrieved. In the internetserver 60, predetermined information regarding the CD requested from theuser is returned to the music server 50.

[0032] For example, TOC (Table Of Contents) information of the CD 55 issent as media information to the internet server 60. A database in whichthe additional information for the music data mentioned above can beretrieved is constructed in the internet server 60 on the basis of theTOC information. The additional information can be also obtained-byretrieving another WWW server on the internet. The internet server 60retrieves the additional information of the music data by using thereceived TOC information as media information. For example, it can beretrieved on the basis of time information of each of the music piecesincluded in the TOC information and recorded in the CD 55.

[0033] The additional information obtained by retrieving is sent fromthe internet server 60 to the music server 50. In the music server 50,the received additional information is displayed in the display unit 53and is written to, for example, the hard disk drive together with theTOC information of the CD 55 by a CPU 8, which will be explainedhereinlater. By storing the retrieved additional information into anHTML file and sending from the server 60, the additional information canbe displayed by built-in WWW browser software in the music server 50.

[0034] If another URL (Uniform Resource Locator) on the internet hasbeen described in the additional information, it is possible to accessto a homepage or the like on the internet displayed by the other URL inthe music server 50.

[0035] Further, by communicating the data between the internet server 60and server 50, the music data in the CD 55 loaded into the server 50through the CD inserting portion 54 can be recorded into the storingmedium of-the music server 50 at a speed higher than the specifiedstandard reproducing speed of the CD 55, for example, the music data ofone CD 55 can be recorded for about two minutes. When a communication isnot performed between the internet server 60 and server 50, the musicdata is recorded to the storing medium of the server 50 at the samespeed as the specified standard reproducing speed of the CD 55, namely,at the one-time speed.

[0036] By connecting to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70 by the connection line 71, the server 50 can transfer and move themusic data memorized or stored in the music server 50 to the portablereproducing apparatus 70. The moved music data can be reproduced by theportable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 and can be listened by,for example, headphones 72 even if the server 50 and apparatus 70 arenot connected by the connection line 71. The transferred and moved musicdata is set into a state where it cannot be reproduced in the musicserver 50.

[0037]FIG. 2 shows an example of a construction of the music server 50.First, in the music server 50, in a manner similar to the constructionof the ordinary personal computer, an RAM 5, an ROM 6, a flash memory 7,and a CPU 8 which are mutually connected by a bus are provided. The CPU8 is connected to a bus 40. The CPU 8 is constructed by a microcomputeror the like and functions as a controller and the whole operation of themusic server 50 is controlled.

[0038] A program to control the operation of the music server 50 haspreviously been stored in the ROM 6. In the music server 50, on thebasis of this program, the CPU 8 allows the operation corresponding tothe operation of an input operating unit 1, which will be explainedhereinlater, to be executed. A data area and a task area which are usedwhen the program is executed are temporarily assured in the RAM 5 andflash memory 7. A program loader has been stored in the ROM 6 and theprogram itself can be also loaded into the flash memory 7 by the programloader of the ROM 6.

[0039] The input operating unit 1 comprises, for example, a plurality ofpush type and rotary type operation keys, switches which are operated bythese operation keys, and the like. The input operating unit 1 is notlimited to this type but an operation key of a rotary push type called ajog dial, a touch panel on the LCD, or the like can be also used. Aswitching mechanism which responds by pressing can be also used. Asignal according to the operation of the input operating unit 1 issupplied to the CPU 8 through the bus 40. In the CPU 8, a control signalto control the operation of the music server 50 is formed on the basisof the signal from the input operating unit 1. The music server 50 isoperated in response to the control signal formed by the CPU 8.

[0040] An infrared interface (IrDA I/F) driver 3 and/or a USB (UniversalSerial Bus) driver 4 is connected to the bus 40. A keyboard 2 cancommunicate or connect to the drivers 3 and 4. By using the keyboard 2,for instance, the name of music piece corresponding to the music datawhich is recorded, the name of artist, and the like can be easilyinputted. The data can be also transferred through the infraredinterface 3 or USB driver 4. The infrared interface driver 3 and USBdriver 4 can be also omitted. A CD-ROM drive 9 is connected to the bus40. The CD 55 inserted from the CD inserting portion 54 as mentionedabove is loaded into the CD-ROM drive 9. In the CD-ROM drive 9, themusic data is read out from the loaded CD 55 at the specified standardreproducing speed. In the CD-ROM drive 9, the music data of the CD 55can be read out at a speed which is higher than the specified standardreproducing speed, for instance, which is 16 or 32 times as high as thespecified standard reproducing speed.

[0041] The CD-ROM drive 9 is not limited to the foregoing example butcan be also made correspond to another disk-like recording medium inwhich music data has been stored, for example, a magnetooptical disc ora DVD (Digital Versatile Disc; trade name). A drive corresponding to amemory card can be also used. Further, the data which is read out fromthe CD-ROM drive 9 is not limited to the music data but image data, textdata, program data, or the like can be also read out.

[0042] A hard disk drive (hereinafter, abbreviated as an HDD) 10 isconnected to the bus 40. The music data read out from the CD-ROM drive 9is recorded to the HDD 10. As a pre-process of the process for recordingthe music data to the HDD 10, the music data read out by the CD-ROMdrive 9 is supplied to a compression encoder 12 through the bus 40 and aDRAM 11 for audio.

[0043] In the compression encoder 12, a compression encoding process ofthe music data is performed by the foregoing compressing methoddisclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,821 or the like. As acompressing speed of the music data by the compression encoder 12, twospeeds of a low speed and a high speed are prepared on the basis of thecontrol of the CPU 8. The low speed compressing speed corresponds to thestandard reproducing speed specified for the CD 55 in the CD-ROM drive9. The compressing speed is switched in accordance with, for example,the reproducing speed of the CD 55 by the CD-ROM drive 9. In thecompression encoder 12, for example, an encoding algorithm according tothe compressing speed is driven.

[0044] The changing method of the compressing speed in the compressionencoder 12 is not limited to the foregoing method. For instance, it canbe also changed by switching a clock frequency of the compressionencoder 12. A different hardware can be also prepared. Further, in thecompression encoder 12 in which the high speed compression can beperformed, it is also possible to correspond to the low compressingspeed by thinning out the processes.

[0045] The compression music data which was compression encoded by thecompression encoder 12 is recorded and accumulated to the HDD 10 throughthe DRAM 11.

[0046] Although it is constructed such that the compression music datawhich was compression encoded by the compression encoder 12 isaccumulated to the HDD 10, the music data which is read out from theCD-ROM drive 9 can be also directly supplied to the HDD 10 and can berecorded and accumulated to the hard disk of the HDD 10.

[0047] In the example, an audio signal which is inputted through anamplifier 14 from a microphone connected to a terminal 13 and an audiosignal which is inputted from a line input terminal 15 are supplied tothe compression encoder 12 through an A/D converter 16. Those audiosignals outputted from the A/D converter 16 can be compression encodedby the encoder 12 and can be supplied and recorded to the HDD 10.Further, an optical digital signal is supplied from an optical digitalinput terminal 17 to the compression encoder 12 through an IEC 958(International Electrotechnical Commission 958) encoder 18. The audiosignal supplied as an optical digital signal can be compression encodedby the encoder 12 and can be recorded to the HDD 10.

[0048] Although the case where the compression encoder 12 uses anencoding algorithm as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,821has been shown in the above embodiment, the invention is not limited tothe foregoing example. That is, in the compression encoder 12, any otheralgorithm can be also used so long as it is an encoding algorithm bywhich information is compressed. For example, the compression encoder 12can also use an encoding algorithm such as MPEG (moving picture codingexperts group), PASC (precision adaptive sub-band coding), TwinVQ (tradename), RealAudio (trade name), or LiquidAudio (trade name).

[0049] A modem 20 is connected to the bus 40. For example, an externalnetwork 19 such as public telephone line, CATV, or wirelesscommunication is connected to the modem 20. The music server 50 cancommunicate through the external network 19 by the modem 20.

[0050] The music server 50 is connected to, for example, the internetthrough the external network 19. A communication is executed between themusic server 50 and the remote internet server 60. A request signal andvarious information such as media information as information regardingthe CD 55 loaded in the CD-ROM drive 9, user ID data and userinformation which have previously been given to the music server 50,accounting information to the user, and the like are transmittedand-sent from the music server 50 to the internet server 60.

[0051] The various information such as media information, userinformation, and the like is transmitted to the internet server 60. Onthe basis of the received user information such as user ID data and thelike, the server 60 executes the authentication of the user, thecollating process, and the accounting process. On the basis of thereceived media information, the additional information of the music datais retrieved and transmitted from the server 60 to the music server 50.

[0052] Although the example in which the additional information of themusic data is returned has been shown here, the music data can be alsodirectly supplied from the external network 19 on the basis of a requestby the user. That is, the user can download the music data from theinternet server 60 by using the music server 50. The music data can bealso returned in correspondence to the media information. Thus, forexample, a-bonus track of a predetermined CD 55 can be obtained by thetransmission.

[0053] When the compression music data which has been compressionencoded by the compression encoder 12 and recorded and accumulated inthe HDD 10 is read out for reproduction from the HDD 10, it is suppliedto a compression decoder 21 through the bus 40. The compression encodingof the compression music data read out from the hard disk of the HDD 10is released by the compression decoder 21 and the resultant data isoutputted to a terminal 24 through a D/A converter 22 and an amplifier23. The data is supplied from the terminal 24 to the speaker units 52Land 52R and the music is reproduced. Although not shown in FIG. 2, as apath starting from the D/A converter 22 and reaching the terminal 24through the amplifier 23, two paths are provided in correspondence tostereophonic outputs. Similarly, two terminals 24 are also provided incorrespondence to the stereophonic sound.

[0054] In the compression decoder 21, a decoding algorithm correspondingto the encoding algorithm in the compression encoder 12 is used. Thecompression decoder 21 and foregoing compression encoder 12 can be alsorealized as software processes by the CPU 8 without having hardware. Aliquid crystal display device (hereinafter, simply referred to as anLCD) 26 constructing the display unit 53 is connected to the bus 40through an LCD driving circuit (namely, LCD driver) 25. A drawingcontrol signal is supplied from the CPU 8 to the LCD driving circuit 25through the bus 40. On the basis of the supplied drawing control signal,the LCD 26 is driven by the LCD driving circuit 25 and a predetermineddisplay is performed to the display unit 53, namely, the LCD 26.

[0055] An operation menu of the music server 50, for example, isdisplayed on the LCD 26. For instance, a title list of the compressionmusic data recorded and accumulated in the HDD 10 is displayed on theLCD 26. As for the title list which is displayed on the LCD 26, sincethe data based on the data obtained by decoding the additionalinformation transmitted from the internet server 60 has been supplied tothe HDD 10, the display is performed on the basis of the data stored onthe HDD 10. For example, a folder or a jacket image corresponding to thecompression music data which is selected and reproduced is furtherdisplayed on the LCD 26 on the basis of the additional informationtransmitted from the internet server 60.

[0056] By operating a pointing device of the input operating unit 1 orthe keyboard 2 on the basis of the display on the LCD 26, the CPU 8performs the reproduction control of the instructed music data. Theerasure of the selected music data or the control of the copy or move ofthe selected music data to the external apparatus can be also performedon the basis of the display of the LCD 26. For example, when the inputoperating unit 1 is a touch panel provided on the LCD 26, by touchingthe touch panel in accordance with the display of the LCD 26, theoperation of the music server 50 can be performed. As mentioned above,the music data recorded and accumulated in the HDD 10 is managed andcontrolled by the user by using the LCD 26 as an interface.

[0057] In the first embodiment, the invention corresponds to the IEEE1394 and PC card as an interface between the music server 50 and theexternal general information apparatus. An IEEE 1394 interface 28 isconnected to the bus 40 through an IEEE 1394 driver 29. Similarly, a PCcard slot 31 is connected to the bus 40 through a PC card driver 30.

[0058] Transmission and reception of data can be performed between themusic server 50 and, for example, a personal computer by the IEEE 1394interface 28. Music data can be fetched from an IRD (IntegratedReceiver/Decoder) for satellite broadcasting, a small magnetoopticaldisc or optical disc having a diameter of about 64 mm, a DVD (DigitalVersatile Disc: trade name), a digital video tape, or the like by theIEEE 1394 interface 28. By loading the PC card into the PC card slot 31,an expansion of an external storage device or another media drive orvarious peripheral devices such as modem, terminal adapter, captureboard, and the like can be easily performed.

[0059] An interface 34 is an interface to transmit and receive musicdata or the like between the music server 50 and corresponding anotherrecording and reproducing apparatus. For example, the portable recordingand reproducing apparatus 70 shown in FIG. 1 mentioned above is appliedto the other recording and reproducing apparatus. The invention is notlimited to it but another music server 50 can be also used as anotherrecording and reproducing apparatus.

[0060] The interface 34 is connected to the bus 40 through an interfacedriver 33. An interface 35 constructing a pair together with theinterface 34 is provided for the corresponding other recording andreproducing apparatus. By electrically connecting the interfaces 34 and35 by the predetermined connection line 71, for instance, the music datarecorded and accumulated in the HDD 10 can be transferred from the musicserver 50 to the other recording and reproducing apparatus.

[0061]FIG. 3 schematically shows a signal flow until the music data readout by the CD-ROM drive 9 is recorded into the HDD 10. The music dataread out from the CD-ROM drive 9 is once stored into the DRAM 11 as abuffer memory through the bus 40. The music data is read out from theDRAM 11 at a predetermined timing and is supplied to the compressionencoder 12 through the bus 40. The compression encoder 12 is set to apredetermined compressing speed according to the reproducing speed ofthe CD-ROM drive 9 as mentioned above. The music data is compressionencoded by the compression encoder 12 and is again once stored into theDRAM 11 as a buffer memory. The compression music data read out from theDRAM 11 at a predetermined timing is supplied to the HDD 10 through thebus 40 and is recorded to the hard disk of the HDD 10. In this instance,the TOC information of the CD 55 which is reproduced by the CD-ROM drive9 is transmitted to the internet server 60 as mentioned above and theadditional information of the CD 55 transmitted from the server 60 isalso recorded to the hard disk of the HDD 10 and is managed as one databy the CPU 8 or the like together with the compression music data basedon the music data read out from the CD 55.

[0062]FIG. 4 schematically shows a signal flow until the compressionmusic data read out from the HDD 10 is reproduction processed and issupplied to the terminal 24. The compression music data read out fromthe HDD 10 is once stored into the DRAM 11 as a buffer memory throughthe bus 40. The compression music data is read out from the DRAM 11 at apredetermined timing and is supplied to the compression decoder 21through the bus 40. The compression music data is decompressed by thecompression decoder 21, the compression encoding is released, and theresultant data is supplied as music data to the D/A converter 22. Themusic data is converted into an analog audio signal by the D/A converter22 and is amplified by the amplifier 23. An amplified signal is suppliedas a reproduction output to the terminal 24. If the speakers areconnected to the terminal 24, the music reproduced by the speakers canbe enjoyed. In this instance, the additional information read out fromthe disc of the HDD 10 is decoded as necessary by the CPU 8 or the likeand the music piece titles or the like are displayed on the display unit53.

[0063]FIG. 5 shows an example of a construction of the portablerecording and reproducing apparatus 70 which is used as anotherrecording and reproducing apparatus. The portable recording andreproducing apparatus 70 has a construction similar to the music server50 shown in FIG. 2 mentioned above. As for the portable recording andreproducing apparatus 70, the interface 34 on the music server 50 sideand the interface 35 on the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70 side are usually separated and are carried and used as sole units.First, in the portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70, in amanner similar to the construction of the ordinary personal computer, anRAM 103, an ROM 104, and a CPU 105 which are mutually connected by a busare provided. A flash memory can be also provided in a manner similar tothe construction of the music server 50. The CPU 105 constructed by amicrocomputer or the like is connected to a bus 130. The CPU 105functions as a controller and the whole operation of the portablerecording and reproducing apparatus 70 is controlled by the CPU 105.

[0064] A program to control the operation of the portable recording andreproducing apparatus 70 has previously been stored in the ROM 104. Inthe portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70, the operationcorresponding to the operation of the input operating unit 102, whichwill be explained hereinbelow, is executed on the basis of such aprogram. A data area and a task area which are used when the program isexecuted are temporarily assured in the RAM 103.

[0065] The input operating unit 102 comprises, for example, a pluralityof push type and rotary type operation keys and a plurality of switcheswhich are operated by those operation keys. The input operating unit 102is not limited to such a type but a rotary push type operation keycalled a jog dial, a touch panel on the LCD provided for the apparatus70, which will be explained hereinlater, or the like can be also used. Amechanical switching mechanism which responds by depressing can be alsoused. A signal corresponding to the operation of the input operatingunit 102 is supplied to the CPU 105 through the bus 130. The CPU 105forms a control signal to control the operation of the portablerecording and reproducing apparatus 70 on the basis of an output signalwhich is generated by operating the operation keys of the inputoperating unit 102. The operation of the portable recording andreproducing apparatus 70 is switched and the operation is controlled inresponse to the control signal formed by the CPU 105.

[0066] In the music server 50, the music data which was read out fromthe HDD 10 and in which a transfer to the portable recording andreproducing apparatus 70 has been instructed is transferred or suppliedto the portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 through theinterfaces 34 and 35 and a connection line connecting the interfaces 34and 35. At the same time, the additional information of the music datawhose transfer has been instructed is also transmitted to the apparatus70 together with the music data whose transfer has been instructed. Inthe case where mutually corresponding attaching units are respectivelyprovided for the music server 50 and portable recording and reproducingapparatus 70, the interfaces 34 and 35 are directly connected and themusic data is transferred between the server 50 and apparatus 70.Further, in the case where the interface by IrDA is provided for both ofthe apparatus 70 and server 50, the music data is transferred betweenthe server 50 and apparatus 70 by an infrared signal.

[0067] The music data transferred and supplied from the server 50 to theapparatus 70 is supplied from an interface driver 101 to an HDD 106 as amusic data recording medium of the portable recording and reproducingapparatus 70 through the bus 130 and is recorded to the hard disk of theHDD 106.

[0068] The music data recording medium of the portable recording andreproducing apparatus 70 is not limited to the HDD 106 but, for example,a flash memory can be also used. Any other recording medium such as amagnetooptical disc can be also used as a music data recording medium solong as it can follow the reproducing speed of the music data. As amusic data recording medium of the apparatus 70, for instance, tens ofmusic pieces can be recorded by using a medium having a memory capacityof about 200 MBytes. The music data transmitted from the server 50 andthe additional information of the music data are also recorded to thedisc of the HDD 106 of the apparatus 70.

[0069] In the example, the music data which is transferred and recordedto the HDD 106 is the compression music data which has already beencompression encoded in the music server 50. In the portable recordingand reproducing apparatus 70, the invention-is not limited to such anexample but music data which is not compression encoded is supplied andcan be also recorded to the hard disk of the HDD 106. For example, themusic data reproduced and read out from the CD 55 loaded in the CD-ROMdrive 9 of the music server 50 is directly supplied to the portablerecording and reproducing apparatus 70 through the interface driver 101.In case of directly supplying the data to the apparatus 70, however, itwill be obviously understood that the number of recordable music data islargely limited.

[0070] As a pre-process of the process for recording the music data tothe hard disk of the HDD 106, the supplied music data is temporarilystored into a DRAM 107 for audio which is connected to the bus 130. Themusic data read out from the DRAM 107 is supplied to a compressionencoder 108 through the bus 130. The compression encoder 108 executes acompression encoding process of the music data by an encoding algorithmsimilar to that of the compression encoder 12 in the music server 50.The compression music data which was compression encoded by thecompression encoder 108 is supplied to the DRAM 107 and is againtemporarily stored into the DRAM 107. Finally, the compression musicdata stored in the DRAM 107 is read out and recorded to the hard disk ofthe HDD 106.

[0071] As mentioned above, when the move of the compression music dataaccumulated in the HDD 10 is instructed and the data is transmitted andtransferred to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 inthe music server 50, although the compression music data of the HDD 10exists as data on the HDD 10, it is set into a state where it cannot beread out from the HDD 10 and reproduced. The compression music datamoved to the apparatus 70 is again returned to the recording medium onthe moving source side, namely, to the HDD 10 of the server 50, so thatmusic data can be read out from the HDD 10 and reproduced by the movingsource side, namely, server 50. In this instance, the compression musicdata returned to the server 50 is deleted from the hard disk of the HDD106 of the apparatus 70 serving as a recording medium on the movedestination side.

[0072] In this example, an audio signal which is inputted through anamplifier 110 from a microphone connected to the terminal 109 and anaudio signal which is inputted from a line input terminal 111 aresupplied to the compression encoder 108 through an A/D converter 112.The compression encoding process can be performed to the audio signalssupplied from the A/D converter 112 by the compression encoder 108 andthe compression encoded signal can be recorded to the HDD 106. Further,an optical digital signal is supplied from an optical digital inputterminal 113 to the compression encoder 108 through an IEC 958 encoder114. The audio signal supplied as an optical digital signal can besubjected to the compression encoding process by the encoder 108 and canbe recorded to the hard disk of the HDD 106. So long as the apparatus 70is a read only portable reproducing apparatus only for reproducing thecompressed music data, all of the foregoing A/D converter 112, encoder108, and the like can be also omitted.

[0073] The compression music data is read out from the HDD 106 forreproduction and is supplied to a compression decoder 115 through thebus 130. The music data in which the decompressing process has beenperformed to the supplied compression music data and the compressionencoding has been released by the compression decoder 115 is outputtedto a terminal 118 through a D/A converter 116 and an amplifier 117. Forexample, the headphones 72 are connected to the terminal 118. The usercan listen to the reproduced music by attaching the headphones 72.Although not shown in FIG. 5, as a signal path starting from the D/Aconverter 116 and reaching the terminal 118 through the amplifier 117,two paths are provided in correspondence to the stereophonic outputs inthe L-channel and the R-channel. Similarly, two terminals 118 are alsoprovided in correspondence to the stereophonic sounds of the L channeland the R channel.

[0074] An LCD 120 is connected to the bus 130 through an LCD drivingcircuit 119. A drawing control signal is supplied from the CPU 105 tothe LCD driving circuit 119 through the bus 130, the LCD 120 is drivenon the basis of the supplied drawing control signal, and a predetermineddisplay is performed to the LCD 120. An operation menu of the portablerecording and reproducing apparatus 70, a title list of the music datastored on the HDD 106, or the like is displayed on the LCD 120. Forexample, a folder or a jacket image corresponding to the music datawhich is selected and reproduced from the music data stored in the HDD106 can be also displayed on the LCD 120 on the basis of the additionalinformation stored on the HDD 106.

[0075] By operating the pointing device of the input operating unit 102by the user-on the basis of the display of the LCD 120, one compressionmusic data in the compression music data stored on the HDD 106 isselected and reproduced. The control of the erasure, copy, and move ofthe selected compression music data can be also performed on the basisof the display of the LCD 120. For example, by touching the touch panelof the input operating unit 102 by the user in accordance with thedisplay of the LCD 120, the operation input of the portable recordingand reproducing apparatus 70 can be performed. As mentioned above, thecompression music data recorded on the HDD 106 is managed by the userwhile using the LCD 120 as an interface and the recording, reproduction,and the like are controlled.

[0076] Although not shown in FIG. 5, the portable recording andreproducing apparatus 70 is driven by a battery. For this purpose, apower supply unit using a general secondary battery or dry cell as apower supplying source is provided and a charging unit is provided forthe apparatus 70. In the case where the music server 50 and portablerecording and reproducing apparatus 70 are directly connected by aconnection line or attaching units, the music data is transferred and anelectric power is supplied from the music server 50 to the charging unitand the secondary battery of the apparatus 70 is charged. The secondarybattery of the apparatus 70 can be also charged by an external chargingpower source. As a power supplying source, only either one of the powersource by a dry cell and the charging power source using the secondarybattery can be also used or provided for the apparatus 70.

[0077]FIG. 6 shows another example of the foregoing portable recordingand reproducing apparatus 70. In FIG. 6, portions common to those inFIG. 5 mentioned above are designated by the same reference numerals andtheir detailed description is omitted. In a portable recording andreproducing apparatus 170 shown in FIG. 6, for the construction of FIG.5 mentioned above, a switching-circuit 200 is inserted between an HDD(or flash memory) 106 a and the bus 130. One selection terminal 200 a ofthe switching circuit 200 is connected to the bus 130 and anotherselection terminal 200 b is connected to the interface 35. The HDD 106 ais separated from the bus 130 by the switching circuit 200.

[0078] When the compression music data is. transferred from the musicserver 50, a terminal is switched to the selection terminal 200 b or theselection terminal 200 b is selected in the switching circuit 200. TheHDD 106 a and the bus 40 of the music server 50 are directly connectedthrough the interfaces 34 and 35. The HDD 106 a is seen as if it were arecording medium of the music server 50 when it is seen from the CPU 8of the server 50. The direct control of the HDD 106 a is enabled by theCPU 8 of the music server 50. The move, copy, or the like of thecompression music data can be easily performed between the music server50 and portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70.

[0079] The operation of the system constructed as mentioned above willnow be described. First, functions which are solely executed by themusic server 50 will be explained. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an exampleof processes when the music data of the CD 55 loaded in the CD-ROM drive9 is recorded to the disc of the HDD 10 of the music server 50.

[0080] In first step S10, the apparatus waits for a recording request ofthe music data of the CD 55 to the HDD 10 by the user. For example, whenthe recording request is inputted by the user by using the inputoperating unit 1, the processing routine advances to step S11. In stepS11, a check is made to see if the recording requested by the user isthe “high speed recording” or the “recording at the one-time speed”. Forexample, when the recording request is issued in step S10 mentionedabove, a recording method, namely, a mode to record at a high speed or amode to record at the one-time speed is designated by the user. The“recording at the one-time speed” used here denotes the operation forreading out the CD 55 at the specified standard speed and recording datato the disc of the HDD 10. The “high speed recording” used here denotesthe operation to read out the CD 55 at a speed that is two or more timesas high as the specified standard speed and to record data to the discof the HDD 10.

[0081] If the execution of the “high speed recording” is designated instep S11, the processing routine advances to step S12 and an accountingsystem of the servers 50 and 60 is activated. Processes by theaccounting system of the servers 50 and 60 will be explainedhereinlater. When the accounting process by the accounting system of theserver 50 is performed and the “high-speed recording” is permitted fromthe internet server 60 or another apparatus, the processing routineadvances to step S13 and a high speed compressing process is activatedin the compression encoder 12. The processing routine advances to stepS15.

[0082] When the execution of the “recording at the one-time speed” isdesignated in step S11, the processing routine advances to step S14 anda low speed compressing process is activated in the compression encoder12. The processing routine advances to step S15. In step S15, the CD-ROMdrive 9 is driven at a predetermined speed on the basis of the controlof the CPU 8 and the music data recorded in the CD 55 loaded in theCD-ROM drive 9 is read out. The read-out music data is compressionencoded by the compression encoder 12 and is transferred to the disk ofthe HDD 10 and recorded.

[0083] In step S16, when it is determined that the transfer of thecompression music data read out from the CD 55 to the HDD 10 has beenfinished, the transfer of the data from the CD-ROM drive 9 to the HDD 10is inhibited in next step S17. The compressing process of thecompression encoder 12 is stopped in further next step S18.

[0084]FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts showing an example of theaccounting process of the accounting system in step S12 of the foregoingflowchart of FIG. 7. The accounting process is performed by performing adata communication between the music server 50 and internet server 60.FIG. 8A shows an accounting process in the account processing system inthe music server 50 and FIG. 8B shows an accounting process in theaccount processing system in the internet server 60.

[0085] When the accounting process is started, in step S20 in FIG. 8A,the communication is first started between the music server 50 andinternet server 60 by a predetermined protocol. In step S21, when theconnection between the server 50 and server 60 is established and astate where the communication between the server 50 and server 60 ispossible is confirmed, the processing routine advances to step S22.

[0086] In step S22, the TOC information of the CD 55 which is loaded inthe CD-ROM drive 9 and is transferred and recorded to the HDD 10 is sentfrom the music server 50 to the internet server 60. High speed recordinginformation showing the execution of the “high speed recording” istransmitted from the music server 50 to the internet server 60 togetherwith the TOC information of the CD 55.

[0087] In FIG. 8B, on the other hand, in the internet server 60, theapparatus waits until the high speed recording information and TOCinformation are supplied or transmitted from the music server 50 (stepS30). When the high speed recording information and the TOC informationare received by the server 60, the TOC information transmitted isretrieved in step S31 by using the database in the server 60 or anexternal database on the basis of the transmitted TOC information. Byretrieving the information corresponding to the TOC information, the CD55 is specified.

[0088] The accounting process is performed in next step S32. A moneyamount to be accounted is calculated on the basis of the informationsuch as the number of music pieces which were subjected to the “highspeed recording” and, for example, the accounting can be performed bydrawing money from an account of the bank designated by the user on thebasis of the credit card number of the user which has previously beenregistered. The accounting method is not limited to this method. Forinstance, there is also considered a method whereby a function to read aprepaid card is provided for the music server 50, a set account moneyamount is sent to the music server 50, and the user pays the accountmoney amount by allowing the accounted money amount to be subtractedfrom the prepaid card. On the basis of the TOC information, the accountmoney amount can be changed or the recording to the disc of the HDD 10of the music data read out from the CD 55 can be also inhibited inaccordance with the contents of the CD 55.

[0089] In step S33, the accounting information is transmitted to themusic server 50. In FIG. 8A, the contents of the transmitted accountinginformation is confirmed on the music server 50 side (step S23). On theinternet server 60 side as well, a check is made to see if theaccounting information has been received by the music server 50 (stepS34). For instance, this checking operation is performed by transmittingdata indicative of the completion of the confirmation from the musicserver 50 to the server 60 when it is confirmed that there is no errorin the accounting information received on the music server 50 side andthe accounting information has correctly been received.

[0090] Returning to FIG. 8A, when the accounting information received onthe music server 50 side is confirmed in step S23, the processingroutine advances to step S24 and the received accounting information orthe like is displayed on the display unit 53. In step S25, the musicdata is read out from the CD 55 at a speed higher than the specifiednormal speed by the CD-ROM drive 9. The compressing process is executedat a high compressing speed by the compression encoder 12. Thecompression music data from the compression encoder 12 is supplied tothe HDD 10 and recorded to the disk of the HDD 10. Step S25 correspondsto step S15 in FIG. 7 mentioned above.

[0091] In the embodiment, the interlocking operation can be performedbetween the music server 50 and portable recording and reproducingapparatus 70. For example, when the music data is moved from the musicserver 50 to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70, theinterlocking operation between the server 50 and apparatus 70 isexecuted. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of an example of such a move.

[0092] In first step S40, a check is made to see if the music server 50and portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 have been connectedby the interfaces 34 and 35. The connection between the server 50 andapparatus 70 is detected by, for example, transmitting and receiving apredetermined signal between the interfaces 34 and 35. The detection ofthe connection between the server 50 and apparatus 70 is not limited tothis method but the connection between the server 50 and apparatus 70can be also detected by using a mechanical detecting mechanism byproviding a switching mechanism to the portion where the music server 50and portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 are connected.

[0093] When the connection between the server 50 and apparatus 70 isconfirmed in step S40, a check is made in next step S41 to see if themove of the music data recorded and accumulated in the HDD 10 to theportable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 has been requested. Forexample, a list of the information as well as the music piece titles ofthe compression music data accumulated in the HDD 10 is displayed on thedisplay unit 53 and the user selects predetermined compression musicdata from the list displayed in the display unit 53 by using apredetermined pointing device of an input operating unit 1. Further, aninstruction for move to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus70 is inputted from the input operating unit 1 to the compression musicdata selected by the user.

[0094] Various methods of inputting the instruction for move using theinput operating unit 1 are considered. For example, a button to instructthe move is displayed on the display unit 53 and by designating thisbutton by using the pointing device of the input operating unit 1, themove can be instructed. For example, the move can be also instructed byusing what is called a drag & drop such that an icon is displayed on thedisplay unit 53 every compression music data and the icon displayed onthe display unit 53 is moved onto an icon indicative of the portablerecording and reproducing apparatus 70 on the move destination side alsodisplayed on the display unit 53. The move can be also instructed by theoperation of the operation switch provided for the input operating unit1.

[0095] When it is determined in step S41 that there is a moving requestof the compression music data, a file size of the compression music datawhose move has been designated, namely, a data amount is examined by,for example, the CPU 8 on the server 50 side in step S42. In next stepS43, a vacant capacity of the HDD 106, namely, a recordable memorycapacity is checked by, for example, the CPU 105 of the portablerecording and reproducing apparatus 70. The vacant capacity of the HDD106 and the file size of the compression music data whose move has beendesignated and which was examined in step S42 are compared by, forinstance, the CPU 8 of the server 50. On the basis of a comparisonresult in step S42, the CPU 8 discriminates whether the compressionmusic data in which the move has been designated can be recorded to theHDD 106. If it can be recorded to the HDD 106, the processing routineadvances to step S45 and the transfer of the compression music data inwhich the move from the server 50 toward the apparatus 70 has beendesignated is started.

[0096] When it is determined in step S43 that the vacant capacity in theHDD 106 of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 isinsufficient, the processing routine advances to step S44. In step S44,the compression music data which has already been recorded to the HDD106 is deleted automatically or on the basis of a procedure or method,which will be explained hereinlater, by the CPU 105 of the apparatus 70so that the compression music data whose move has been designated can berecorded to the HDD 106. The processing routine advances to step S45.

[0097] The deletion of the compression music data in step S44 isautomatically performed under control of the CPU 105 on the basis of apredetermined parameter in the compression music data which has alreadybeen recorded in the HDD 106. For example, in the portable recording andreproducing apparatus 70, there is considered a method whereby thenumber of reproducing times is counted every compression music datarecorded in the HDD 106 and the compression music data is sequentiallydeleted from the HDD 106 in accordance with the order from the data inwhich the number of reproducing times is small. The compression musicdata recorded on the HDD 106 can be also sequentially deleted from thedata in which the date of recording to the HDD 106 is old.

[0098] There can be also a situation such that when the compressionmusic data is automatically deleted from the HDD 106 in step S44, thecompression music data which is important to the user is deleted fromthe HDD 106. To prevent such a situation, it is also possible to displaya warning showing that the apparatus is in an operating mode in whichthe compression music data is automatically deleted from the HDD 106, alist of data to be deleted is displayed, or the like to the display unit53 of the music server 50 or the LCD 120 of the portable recording andreproducing apparatus 70 and to delete the compression music data fromthe HDD 106 after obtaining a confirmation of the user. It is alsopossible to use a method whereby a list of the compression music datawhich has already been recorded in the HDD 106 is displayed to thedisplay unit 53 of the music server 50 or the LCD 120 of the portablerecording and reproducing apparatus 70 and the user himself selects thecompression music data to be deleted.

[0099] By the processes in steps S43 and S44 mentioned above, when theapparatus is set into a state where the compression music data whosemove has been designated in the compression music data stored on the HDD10 can be recorded to the HDD 106, the transmission, namely, transfer ofthe compression music data from the music server 50 to the portablerecording and reproducing apparatus 70 is started in step S45. That is,the compression music data read out from the HDD 10 is supplied to theportable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 through the bus 40 andinterface 34. In the portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70,the compression music data supplied through the interface 34 is recordedto the HDD 106 through the interface 35.

[0100] The transferred compression music data also exists in the HDD 10on the music server 50 side in a manner similar to the case before thetransfer to the apparatus 70. In the embodiment, the reproduction of thecompression music data which has already been transferred to theapparatus 70, namely, the compression music data which has been moved tothe apparatus 70 and exists in the HDD 10 is inhibited (step S46). Forexample, a reproduction inhibition flag indicative of the inhibition ofthe reproduction is set to the high level for the compression music dataon the HDD 10 at a time point of the completion of the move to theapparatus 70. By the reproduction inhibition flag, the reproduction ofthe compression music data moved to the apparatus 70 is inhibited by theCPU 8 of the server 50 and the compression music data stored on the HDD10 is virtually moved from the music server 50 to the portable recordingand reproducing apparatus 70. Therefore, the music data which can bereproduced by the server 50 or apparatus 70 in a plurality ofcompression music data is managed so that only one data always exists,and the illegal copy of the music data is prevented.

[0101] In next step S47, a check is made to see if there is a movingrequest of the next compression music data to the apparatus 70. If theuser further wants to move the other compression music data, theprocessing routine is returned to step S42. When there is not a movingrequest of music data any more, a series of moving processes of themusic data is finished.

[0102] Although the explanation has been made above with respect to thecase of moving one compression music data in a plurality of compressionmusic data stored on the HDD 10 in steps S42 to S46 in the flowchart ofFIG. 9 from the server 50 to apparatus 70, the invention is not limitedto this example. A plurality of compression music data can be alsocollectively moved from the server 50 to the apparatus 70.

[0103] Although the description has been made in the foregoingembodiment on the assumption that, in the process in step S46, thecompression music data itself exists on the HDD 10 of the music server50 serving as a moving source side while the reproduction of the movedcompression music data is merely inhibited, the invention is not limitedto such an example and the moved compression music data can be alsodeleted from the HDD 10, namely, the data itself can be erased.

[0104] The example in which the compression music data is moved from themusic server 50 to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70has been described in the above embodiment. However, the move in theopposite direction, namely, the operation such that the compressionmusic data recorded in the HDD 106 of the portable recording andreproducing apparatus 70 is moved to the HDD 10 of the music server 50can be also executed in accordance with processes similar to those inthe flowchart shown in FIG. 9.

[0105] In this instance, the compression music data moved from the musicserver 50 to the portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 isagain moved from the portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 tothe music server 50, so that the reproduction inhibition flag of thecompression music data moved from the apparatus 70 in a plurality ofcompression music data stored on the HDD 10 is cancelled in the musicserver 50. That is, the compression music data serving as a movingsource can be again reproduced in the music server 50 by cancelling thereproduction inhibition flag. At this time, as for the moved compressionmusic data which had been stored on the HDD 106 of the apparatus 70, thedata itself is deleted from the HDD 106 or the management data of themoved compression music data is deleted from the management table of theHDD 106.

[0106] In the foregoing music server 50 and portable recording andreproducing apparatus 70, the digital copy of music data to the othermusic server 50 or another digital recording medium is limited for thepurpose of copyright protection and, for instance, an accounting isnecessary each time the digital copying operation is performed asmentioned above. As mentioned above, although the music data can bemoved from the music server 50 to the portable recording and reproducingapparatus 70, the digital copy is limited due to the above reasons.

[0107] However, if the accounting is performed every digital copy ofmusic data or if the digital copy of music data is perfectly inhibited,it is difficult to use the apparatus as a commercially availableapparatus and there is a fear such that the apparatus becomes aremarkably user-unfriendly product. In the invention, therefore, byapplying a predetermined limitation to music data, the copy of the musicdata is permitted. In the embodiment, a quality of music data isdeteriorated at the time of copy.

[0108]FIGS. 10A to 15C show examples of a method of deteriorating thesound quality of music data. FIGS. 10A and 10B show the example in whichfrequency characteristics of original music data are deteriorated byusing, for instance, a digital filter. As shown by a solid line in FIG.10A, high band components of the frequency characteristics of theoriginal music data shown by a broken line in FIG. 10A is deteriorated.Low band components of the frequency characteristics of the originalmusic data can be also deteriorated as shown in FIG. 10B. FIGS. 11A and11B show the example in which the number of quantization bits of musicdata is deteriorated. For instance, assuming that the number ofquantization bits of original music data shown in FIG. 11A is equal to16 bits/sample, as conceptually shown in FIG. 11B, the number ofquantization bits is reduced to 8 bits/sample.

[0109]FIGS. 12A and 12B show the example of a method of increasing noisecomponents included in music data. In the original music data, as shownin FIG. 12A, the noises are suppressed to a level that is furthersmaller than that of the music data of a small sound volume, forexample, music data of the minimum sound volume or the minimum level ofthe reproduced reproduction signal. As shown in an example in FIG. 12B,the noise components are increased so that the noise level is largerthan the level of the music data of a small sound volume or the minimumlevel of the reproduction signal obtained by reproducing the music data.A noise component is newly added to the noise component that isinherently included or exists in the music data or the like. FIGS. 13Aand 13B show the example in which the peak of original music data or thesignal obtained by reproducing the music data is clipped. For a waveformof the original music data shown by a solid line in FIG. 13A or of thereproduction signal obtained by reproducing the original music data, asshown in an example in FIG. 13B, a threshold THD is provided for apredetermined level as shown by an alternate long and short dash line inFIG. 13B and the waveform of the music data or of the reproductionsignal obtained by reproducing the music data is clipped as shown by asolid line in FIG. 13B.

[0110]FIGS. 14A and 14B show the example in which a frequencydistribution of the original music data is changed. For instance, in thecase where the frequency distribution of the original music data is flatas shown in FIG. 14A, the characteristics are compressed in the low andhigh bands of the frequency distribution as shown in FIG. 14B. FIGS.15A, 15B, and 15C show the example of the method of adding anothersignal to original music data. Another signal of a different waveform asshown in an example in FIG. 15B is added to the reproduction signalobtained by reproducing the original music data shown in FIG. 15A andthe signal as music data having a waveform as shown in FIG. 15C isgenerated, thereby deteriorating a quality of the music data, forexample, a sound quality upon reproduction of the music data.

[0111] The methods of deteriorating the sound quality shown above aremere examples. Another method can be also used so long as the quality ofthe original music data is changed and the data is deteriorated. Forexample, a method of converting the original music data to music data ofa lower sampling frequency is also considered. A method of compressing adynamic range of the original music data is also considered. Further, amethod of narrowing a frequency band of music data by applying a bandpass filter to the original music data is also considered. Stereophonicmusic data can be also converted into monaural music data.

[0112] The above processes for deteriorating the quality of music dataare performed by a method whereby, for example, the music data read outfrom the HDD 10 is once supplied to the compression decoder 21 in caseof the music server 50 and the compression encoding is released and themusic data in which the compression encoding has been released issupplied to the CPU 8 and a software process is executed. It is alsopossible to execute the processes for deteriorating the quality oforiginal sound data in a hardware manner by adding a DSP (Digital SignalProcessor) to the construction shown in FIG. 2, 3, or 4 mentioned above.That is, the compression encoding of the music data read out from theHDD 10 for the purpose of, for example, copy is released through thecompression decoder 21 and the resultant music data is supplied to theadded DSP. The music data subjected to a predetermined sound qualitydeteriorating process by the added DSP is derived to, for instance, theinterface-34 through the bus 40.

[0113] The foregoing accounting process and sound quality deterioratingprocess upon copying of the music data can be selectively performed.FIG. 16 shows a flowchart for an example of the processes forselectively performing the accounting process and the sound qualitydeteriorating process at that time. When the music data recorded in theHDD 10 is moved to another recording medium, for example, the disc ofthe HDD 106 of the portable recording and reproducing apparatus 70 (stepS50), the accounting and sound quality deteriorating processes are notperformed. The processing routine is shifted to step S54 and the musicdata read out from the HDD 10 is outputted, for example, through theinterface 34.

[0114] An instruction of the moving and copying processes of music datais instructed by, for example, operating an operation switch providedfor the input operating unit 1 of the music server 50 by the user. Theycan be also instructed by performing, for instance, a drag & drop of anicon by the input operating unit 1 in accordance with the displaycontents on the display unit 53.

[0115] When the copy of music data is instructed by using the inputoperating unit 1 or the like in step S50, the processing routineadvances to step S51 and either the sound quality deteriorating processor the accounting-process is selected as a copying method. The selectionbetween the accounting process and the sound quality deterioratingprocess in step S51 is performed by the user by, for example, theswitching operation of the input operating unit 1 of the music server orby the operation by the input operating unit 1 which is executed inaccordance with the display contents on the display unit 53. Besides themethod whereby the user selects either the accounting process or thesound quality deteriorating process, when the music server 50 is notconnected to the internet server 60, the sound quality deterioratingprocess can be also automatically selected.

[0116] When the accounting process is selected in step S51, theprocessing routine advances to step S52 and a procedure for theadditional accounting is executed. That is, the music server 50 isconnected to the internet server 60 through the communication line 61. Areception and a transmission of data are executed between the musicserver 50 and internet server 60 and the accounting process similar tostep S32 in FIG. 8B mentioned above is performed. The copying process ofthe music data is executed in step S53. In the copying process of themusic data, for example, the designated music data is read out from theHDD 10 and is outputted from the interface 34 (step S54). The music dataof the copying source is preserved as it is on the HDD 10. The musicdata outputted from the interface 34 in step S54 is supplied to therecording and reproducing apparatus and is recorded onto another memorymedium.

[0117] When the sound quality deteriorating process is selected in stepS51, a sound quality deteriorating system is activated in step S55. Instep S56, the designated music data is read out from the HDD 10, theread-out music data is data converted by any one of the foregoing soundquality deteriorating methods, and a data process is performed so thatthe sound quality of music data is deteriorated. As a method ofdeteriorating the sound quality by the sound quality deterioratingprocess, it can be preliminarily fixed to one method or a proper one ofa plurality of methods can be also selected by the user. The music datain which the data conversion was performed and the sound quality wasdeteriorated is outputted, for example, from the interface 34 in stepS54, supplied to another recording and reproducing apparatus, and storedonto another memory medium as mentioned above.

[0118] Information showing that the move and copy have been executed canbe added to the moved and copied music data. For example, a flag showingthat the data is the moved or copied data is added to a header portionof the moved or copied music data. As an example, a flag “M” is set tothe music data which has been moved from the HDD 10 and exists on themove destination side. A flag “C” is set in the header portion of themusic data which has been read out from the HDD 10 and copied. The moveand copy of the music data can be managed by using the flag of theheader portion of the music data in the recording and reproducingapparatus to which the music data was moved or copied. It is alsopossible to count the number of times of move or copy and to add a countvalue as data to the header portion of the moved or copied music data.By recording the data obtained by counting the number of times of moveor copy to the header portion, it is possible to know whether the musicdata is the data after the move of which number of times or the data bythe copy of which number of times of copy processing operation for theoriginal music data, or the like.

[0119] The value obtained by counting the number of times of move orcopy is recorded as data to the header portion of the moved or copiedmusic data, so that the number of times of move or copy of the musicdata can be limited. For example, an upper limit of the number of movingtimes of music data is preset and when the number of moving timesexceeds the set number of times, it is judged that the move is illegal.It is also possible to construct in a manner such that data to set orspecify a partner destination of the move of the data to be-recorded isrecorded to the header portion of the music data and, when the data ismoved to a partner other than the set partner, it is judged that themove is illegal on the basis of the data which has been recorded in theheader portion of the music data and indicates the partner destinationof the move. It is possible to perform a control such that the illegalmove is inhibited or the foregoing sound quality deteriorating processor accounting process is performed to the illegal move on the basis ofthe data which has been recorded in the header portion of the music dataand indicates the number of moving times.

[0120] As described above, according to the invention, when the musicdata recorded in the music server is digitally copied to anotherrecording medium, the accounting process is executed. Therefore, thereis an effect such that the digital copy of the digital music data can beperformed while protecting the copyright.

[0121] According to the invention, since the music data recorded in themusic server is digitally copied to another recording medium bydeteriorating the sound quality, there is an effect such that even ifthe accounting is not performed, the digital music data can be copiedwhile protecting the copyright.

[0122] By using the invention, since the digital music data can becopied while protecting the copyright, the music data can be spread in awide range. Therefore, there is an effect such that it is also verypreferable for the author side.

1. A recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: a first storing unit in which at least one data has been stored; a second storing unit in which at least one data is recorded; and signal processing means to which the data read out from said first storing unit is supplied when the data read out from said first storing unit is stored into said second storing unit and which performs a deteriorating process of said supplied data and supplies resultant processed data to said second storing unit.
 2. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the data which is stored in said first storing unit is music data and said signal processing means performs a process to deteriorate frequency characteristics of the music data read out from said first storing unit.
 3. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said signal processing means deteriorates high band frequency components of the frequency characteristics of the music data read out from said first storing unit.
 4. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said signal processing means deteriorates low band frequency components of the frequency characteristics of the music data read out from said first storing unit.
 5. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said signal processing means performs a process to deteriorate the number of quantization bits of the data read out from said first storing unit.
 6. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said signal processing means performs a process to add a noise component to the data read out from said first storing unit.
 7. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the noise component which is added by said signal processing means has a level larger than a level of music data of a minimum sound volume.
 8. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said signal processing means performs a process to clip a signal obtained by reproducing the data read out from said first storing unit.
 9. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the data which is stored into said first storing unit is music data and said signal processing means performs a process to change a frequency distribution of the music data read out from said first storing unit.
 10. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said signal processing means performs a process to add another data to the data read out from said first storing unit.
 11. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that said signal processing means performs a process to add a signal having a waveform different from that of a reproduction signal obtained by reproducing the data read out from said first storing unit to said reproduction signal.
 12. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said signal processing means performs a deteriorating process of the data stored in said first storing unit when said data stored in said first storing unit is read out and copied into said second storing unit.
 13. A recording and reproducing method, wherein when data read out from a first storing unit is stored into a second storing unit, a deteriorating process of the data is performed to the data read out from said first storing unit, and resultant processed data is supplied to said second storing unit and written into said second storing unit.
 14. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 13, characterized in that the data which is stored in said first storing unit is music data and in said data deteriorating process, a process to deteriorate frequency characteristics of the music data read out from said first storing unit is performed.
 15. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 14, characterized in that in said data deteriorating process, high band frequency components of the frequency characteristics of the music data read out from said first storing unit are deteriorated.
 16. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 14, characterized in that in said data deteriorating process, low band frequency components of the frequency characteristics of the music data read out from said first storing unit are deteriorated.
 17. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 13, characterized in that in said data deteriorating process, a process to deteriorate the number of quantization bits of the data read out from said first storing unit is performed.
 18. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 13, characterized in that in said data deteriorating process, a process to add a noise component to the data read out from said first storing unit is performed.
 19. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 18, characterized in that the noise component which is added by said data deteriorating process has a level larger than a level of music data of a minimum sound volume.
 20. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 13, characterized in that in said data deteriorating process, a process to clip a signal obtained by reproducing the data read out from said first storing unit is performed.
 21. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 13, characterized in that the data which is stored into said first storing unit is music data and in said data deteriorating process, a process to change a frequency distribution of the music data read out from said first storing unit is performed.
 22. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 13, characterized in that in said data deteriorating process, a process to add another data to the data read out from said first storing unit is performed.
 23. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 22, characterized in that in said data deteriorating process, a process to add a signal having a waveform different from that of a reproduction signal obtained by reproducing the data read out from said first storing unit to said reproduction signal is performed.
 24. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 13, characterized in that said data deteriorating process is performed when the data stored in said first storing unit is read out and copied into said second storing unit.
 25. A recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: a first storing unit in which at least one data has been stored; a second storing unit in which at least one data is recorded; and control means to which the data read out from said first storing unit is supplied and which performs either one of an accounting process and a deteriorating process of the data supplied from said first storing unit and supplies resultant processed data to said second storing unit when the data read out from said first storing unit is stored into said second storing unit.
 26. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that said control means performs the selected one of said accounting process and said data deteriorating process.
 27. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that said control means performs either one of said accounting process and said data deteriorating process when the data read out from said first storing unit is copied into said second storing unit.
 28. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that said control means does not perform any one of said accounting process and said data deteriorating process of said data when the data read out from said first storing unit is stored into said second storing unit and a reproduction of the data supplied and stored into said second storing unit is inhibited in said first storing unit.
 29. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the data which is stored in said first storing unit is music data and said control means performs a process to deteriorate frequency characteristics of the music data read out from said first storing unit.
 30. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 29, characterized in that said control means deteriorates high band frequency components of the frequency characteristics of the music data read out from said first storing unit.
 31. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 29, characterized in that said control means deteriorates low band frequency components of the frequency characteristics of the music data read out from said first storing unit.
 32. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that said control means performs a process to deteriorate the number of quantization bits of the data read out from said first storing unit.
 33. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that said control means performs a process to add a noise component to the data read out from said first storing unit.
 34. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 33, characterized in that the noise component which is added by said control means has a level larger than a level of music data of a minimum sound volume.
 35. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 33, characterized in that said control means performs a process to clip a signal obtained by reproducing the data read out from said first storing unit.
 36. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 33, characterized in that the data which is stored into said first storing unit is music data and said control means performs a process to change a frequency distribution of the music data read out from said first storing unit.
 37. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 33, characterized in that said control means performs a process to add another data to the data read out from said first storing unit.
 38. A recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 37, characterized in that said control means performs a process to add a signal having a waveform different from that of a reproduction signal obtained by reproducing the data read out from said first storing unit to said reproduction signal.
 39. A recording and reproducing method, wherein when data read out from a first storing unit is stored into a second storing unit, either one of an accounting process and a deteriorating process of the data supplied from said first storing unit is performed and resultant processed data is supplied to said second storing unit.
 40. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 39, characterized in that the selected one of said accounting process and said data deteriorating process is executed.
 41. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 39, characterized in that either one of said accounting process and said data deteriorating process is performed when the data read out from said first storing unit is copied into said second storing unit.
 42. A recording and reproducing method according to claim 41, characterized in that any one of said accounting process and said data deteriorating process of said data is not performed when the data read out from said first storing unit is stored into said second storing unit and a reproduction of the data supplied and stored into said second storing unit is inhibited in said first storing unit.
 43. A data processing apparatus comprising: a storing unit in which at least one data has been stored; and signal processing means to which the data read out from said storing unit is supplied when the data read out from said storing unit is stored when said data is copied onto another memory medium and which executes a deteriorating process of said supplied data and outputs the data subjected to said data deteriorating process as output data.
 44. A data processing apparatus according to claim 43, characterized in that the data which is stored in said storing unit is music data and said signal processing means performs a process to deteriorate frequency characteristics of the music data read out from said storing unit.
 45. A data processing apparatus according to claim 44, characterized in that said signal processing means deteriorates high band frequency components of the frequency characteristics of the music data read out from said storing unit.
 46. A data processing apparatus according to claim 44, characterized in that said signal processing means deteriorates low band frequency components of the frequency characteristics of the music data read out from said storing unit.
 47. A data processing apparatus according to claim 44, characterized in that said signal processing means performs a process to deteriorate the number of quantization bits of the data read out from said storing unit.
 48. A data processing apparatus according to claim 44, characterized in that said signal processing means performs a process to add a noise component to the data read out from said storing unit.
 49. A data processing apparatus according to claim 48, characterized in that the noise component which is added by said signal processing means has a level larger than a level of music data of a minimum sound volume.
 50. A data processing apparatus according to claim 44, characterized in that said signal processing means performs a process to clip a signal obtained by reproducing the data read out from said storing unit.
 51. A data processing apparatus according to claim 44, characterized in that the data which is stored into said storing unit is music data and said signal processing means performs a process to change a frequency distribution of the music data read out from said storing unit.
 52. A data processing apparatus according to claim 44, characterized in that said signal processing means performs a process to add another data to the data read out from said storing unit.
 53. A data processing apparatus according to claim 52, characterized in that said signal processing means performs a process to add a signal having a waveform different from that of a reproduction signal obtained by reproducing the data read out from said storing unit to said reproduction signal. 